Tallahassee Godby linebacker Jacob Pugh might have grown up a Florida Gator fan, but his heart was closer to home.

That was evident in the multiple trips the Rivals250 prospect made to Florida State in the spring. He attended nearly every practice, keeping a close eye on how the linebackers are used.

On Wednesday afternoon, the 6-foot-4, 221 pound outside linebacker decided to end the recruiting process. He told FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt he was ready to be a Seminole.

"I just committed to FSU," Pugh told Warchant.com. "I didn't decide until this morning and committed about 30 minutes ago."

Pruitt has without question made a big recruiting impact for the Seminoles. His close relationship with 2013 signee Demarcus Walker and 2014 LB commitment Kain Daub played a big part in their decision to pick FSU. Now, you can add Jacob Pugh to that list. Pugh has known Pruitt since he was a freshman at Jefferson County.

"He's a great defensive coach and I really like that about him," Pugh said after FSU's spring game. "He's a smart coach and that's the type of coach I want to play for."

Comfort with the coaches and players also played into his decision to stay close to home.

"I've attended FSU a lot. Most of all, I got a good relationship with the coaches and I know a lot of players, I actually know a former player, Chris Thompson. He gave me some insights on college, how it is," he told Warchant.com during its spring tour. "I also talk with Telvin Smith, Christian Jones and James Wilder."

So just how close was the FSU-UF battle?

"Very tight," he said.

"It was really close. I just wanted to sleep on it last night to make sure and today, I felt good about my decision."

Pugh is FSU's eleventh commitment and third linebacker in the 2014 recruiting class. He selected the Seminoles over offers from Alabama and Florida. He is the first local talent to commit to FSU since former North Florida Christian quarterback Clint Trickett in 2010.

Pugh said this year he's going to split time at linebacker and defensive end.